Chapter 158
As soon as Lauren heard that Anastasia had finished her design sketches, she excitedly exclaimed, âLet me have a peek!! bet youâve got some mad design skills.â
Anastasia booted up her computer, showcasing her design sketches, which spanned from earrings to necklaces, rings, and
bracelets.
Anastasiaâs designs primarily featured simplicity, every piece looked unique and carried a vintage flair.
Anastasia dove into detailed explanations of each design. âThis ring, Iâve used a couple of beads as the points of connection. For these earrings, Iâve incorporated a flower called the âRed Spider Lilyâ, also known as the âLove Flowerâ, symbolizing unwavering love.â
Continuing, Anastasia said, âThe Red Spider Lily carries a heart-wrenching story that can bring tears to your eyes. I know Wendyâs daughter is a huge fan of vintage stuff and has a ton of vintage clothes at home, so Iâve added elements of vintage into each design. These accessories would look bomb with vintage outfitsâ
Lauren started to admire Anastasia. âAnastasia, how do you know so much? Iâm a jewelry designer too, but I donât have nearly as many ideas in my noggin.â
Anastasia replied, âMost jewelry designers design according to their personal preference and style. Not everyone has the same taste as us. Since this is a custom piece, it should meet the needs of the clients.â
âYouâre spot on,â Lauren admitted. âMany famous designers only consider their own style and preference and often overlook the needs of their clients. Anastasia, Wendy will definitely be thrilled with these designs.â
Anastasia smiled and said, âThese are just some doodles, Wendy isnât my client. Iâm just a regular employee. Enough of this, letâs grab some grub, Iâm starved.â
âBut we just had breakfastâ¦â
âI didnât eat breakfastâ Anastasia craftily diverted Lauren.
All that chatter was intentionally for the ears of those lurking in the corners. How else would they get their opportunity if they didnât leave?
Anastasia dragged Lauren into another room for some chit-chat, effectively killing time and giving the thief ample opportunity to snatch the design sketches.
Lauren, always spontaneous at work, brought up, âAnastasia, are you free tonight? Fancy going to a cocktail party with me?â âWhat cocktail party?â Anastasia had only been to high-end functions with Monica and wasnât really familiar with this sort of
thing.
âItâs a cocktail party hosted by WOW Corporation. Itâs a networking opportunity, and I heard the CEO of Elysian Technologies
will be there too.â
Laurenâs eyes sparkled. âHeâs like a Greek god to me, I must go.â
Anastasia chuckled at Laurenâs enthusiasm, reminding her of Monica. Monica was the same, always brimming with excitement when seeing the CEO of Elysian Technologies.
âWeâll see about tonight. If Iâm free. Iâll tag along and see what these high-society parties are like.â
âDeal. You donât have an evening gown, do you? Iâll have someone prepare one for you.â Lauren, always efficient, immediately dialed up her assistant.
Finally, feeling the timing was right, Anastasia left with Lauren. Back at her desk, Anastasia checked her computer. As suspected, someone had been nosing around. The office surveillance equipment had broken last week and hadnât been fixed yet. It was the perfect opportunity to spring a trap.
Sure enough, by afternoon, Selena had come up with a design sketch that satisfied Wendy.
Just as Selena instructed her assistant to send the sketch to the manufacturer, Anastasia signaled Lauren to intercept under the pretense of admiration and learning.
As soon as they unrolled the sketch, Lauren was the first to gasp. âAnastasia, Isnât this your design?â
No Tool, she quickly realized why Anastasia had her intercept the sketch. Apparently, Anastasia had foreseen Selenaâs
plagiarism.
With that in mind, Lauren decided to play along. Her exclamation quickly drew the attention of the entire department.
âThis is Selenaâs design for Wendy. How could it be Anastasiaâs? Lauren, watch your words!â The assistant argued.
âIâm not talking nonsense. Anastasia showed me her sketch this morning, and itâs identical to this one.â Lauren shot back. âThis is plagiarism.â
The accusation immediately stirred up a buzz. To a designer, plagiarism was a disgrace.
Feigning confusion, Anastasia chimed in, âHow did my design end up with Selena?â
Hearing the commotion from inside her office, Selena came out.
Anastasia confronted her. âSelena, can you explain why my design ended up being yours?â